The Girl and Her Brother – Ligo Haibun Challenge

Oct1

mud

The wind wailed; as if it sensed some disaster we overlooked. Before I could grasp its significance, the dark clouds stormed into prominence and the rain poured, forming a muddy puddle near the pavement. There were no pedestrians in sight; only vehicles. As the rain gathered momentum, I saw a girl in early teens walking with a smaller child, probably her younger brother. They did not wear a raincoat and carried no umbrella as the fierce rain soaked their uniforms. They stood near the muddy pavement. The girl, in a desperate bid to shield her little brother, held her school bag over his head. When it did not work, she hugged him close, attempting to cover a part of him, while the rain drenched her completely. Passing vehicles soaked her mercilessly with mud.

Drenched nest

heavy torrents

melt into drops

This was written for the Ligo Haibun Challenge, inspired by the quote by E.E. Cummings, ‘The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.’

I have tried to explore humanity in a rainy city. Now would you like to write a narrative, which displays admiration, nostalgia or desire for the muddy earth. This quote has a lot of scope, does it not? Take your time to go through the challenge and other contributions. Start with a small stanza or two followed by a haiku. It is a learning exercise and fun; we will grow with time and practice. Do try this out. Good luck.

Ligo Haibun Challenge – Choose Your Quote

Sep27

Last week’s pathway took us to new roads and unknown destinations and we also had a white rose to fire our imagination:) Now it is quotes’ time. So, check below for choices and add your contribution to the link collection below.

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough – Rabindranath Tagore

or

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful  – E.E. Cummings



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Friday Fictioneers – The Crown Prince

Sep26

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“This is our gift to the crown prince.” the sage told the king, beckoning to the men who carried three boxes. The king signalled to the prince to open the red box. It revealed a beautiful woman with reddish blond hair and gentle blue eyes. The prince’s eyes shone as he walked over to the blue one. It opened to a svelte Eastern beauty with raven hair and wild dark eyes.

The smitten prince strolled to the white box, his eyes shining with greed. Upon finding the box empty, he went inside. He was calm when he emerged two minutes later. He removed his crown and handed them to his father, “I renounce everything.” he said as he walked barefoot to the forest.

This was written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rich Voza for the photo.

Alastair’s Photo Fiction – The Return

Sep25

alastair_photo fiction

Mr Burns reached the shore and saw the disarray in his immediate neighbourhood. He quickly took a shovel and began to work. After he was satisfied, he went inside the house to see his old books scattered around. He dusted and arranged them in order. It was amazing that he was able to accomplish so much in a short period of time.

Mr Burns proceeded to dust his photo on the wall. Below his picture was the inscription, Simon Burns, 1920-1949. The housekeeper entered his room and fainted with a scream.

‘Never does her job, but faints and spreads stories.’ thought Simon Burns, disgruntled, as he floated out of the house.

Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.

Ligo Haibun Challenge

Sep20

Thank you for your wonderful contribution last week. We will abandon apathy and hold paradise for the future:) Jumping to this week’s challenge, we have two choices below. The first photo has been taken by Pirate and the second is from my collection. Feel free to share your ideas on word prompt, quotes or photos. We welcome your contributions.

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After the haibun is done, include it in the link collection below:

Friday Fictioneers – Credit Card Debt

Sep18

the_second_hand_shop-1

Johnson peered inside, ‘Mary, are you done?

“No, dear. I just saw a beautiful silk gown. I will be back.”

She disappeared. Johnson looked inside, but Mary was nowhere to be found. He looked forlorn.

“Who is that?” a surprised customer asked the saleswoman, Joan.

“Oh! He is old Mr Johnson. His spendthrift wife died while shopping here and left him with a credit card debt of $50,000. He has been that way ever since.”

The customer looked dumb-struck while another salesgirl suppressed her giggle. Joan was so good at telling stories.

Meanwhile, Mary, alive and well, was shopping in the other part of the store.

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and John Nixon for the photo.

Picture it & Write – Cheryl’s Wedding Gown

Sep17

wedding-dress-wedding-flowers

When Charlie proposed to Cheryl, she made sensational plans for her wedding. She had just ordered the wedding gown when Charlie backed out, saying that she was not the woman for him. Though Cheryl was highly disappointed, she kept the gown. Next was Larry, the stand-up comedian. Cheryl bought a new wedding gown, as the older one reminded her of Charlie. But, sadly, Larry deserted her at the altar, sending a note that said that she was ‘too serious’ to be his wife.

Then, she was proposed by Freddie, the football player; Harry, the poet and Jimmy, the con man (!) None of them worked for her and Cheryl abandoned the idea of marriage at 32. Fifteen years later, she met Russell. When she accepted his proposal after thinking long and hard, she rejected the idea of a formal wedding. Russell relented and they were married at the register office, with Cheryl dressed in casual jeans. Before departing for her honeymoon, Cheryl gave away her five wedding gowns to the charity, and finally washed away the memories of her past relationships.

This was written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write

Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Resemblance

Sep16

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“The soldier in this sculpture has an uncanny resemblance to you.” his hostess told Malcolm

“What would I know of horse riding?” laughed Malcolm.

He looked furtively at the hostess as she moved away, entertaining other guests.

Born Mohammad Faizuddin in 1480, Malcolm was one of Babur’s faithful soldiers in Samarkand.  As he lay injured in a war, he was treated with rare plants by a mysterious saint. Malcolm understood the real impact of his ‘treatment’ when he survived any life-threatening disease and recovered after every injury.

Malcolm moved to India, Turkey, Russia and later relocated to England. He loved and hated his timeless immortality. A passionate soldier, he took part in every war, and his latest achievements are world wars I and II. He has been known as Malcolm for the past two centuries.

This short story was written for Alastair’s photo fiction.

Ligo Haibun Challenge – Share Your Powerful Feelings

Sep13

This week we saw many emotional haibun inspired by the quotes; ranging from life in the desert, celebration of life, fantasy, love and compassion. Thank you, friends! Now, we have a couple of word prompts for you to try this week.

Apathy

or

Paradise

What does the word ‘paradise’ mean to you? Can you find it on earth?

Alternatively, share with us your idea of listlessness. Your own, imagined apathy or your ideas of it. And after you are done, add your haibun to link below.

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Friday Fictioneers – The Crew

Sep13

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Edwin sat in the dining hall of the cruise ship, Philomena. The waiter tossed a plate of food on his table, spilling some contents. “What next?” he asked angrily.

“Strawberry ice cream” stammered Edwin

The waiter scowled at him. Edwin returned to his room to find his clothes back from the laundry. They were still dirty and his room was not swept well.

He described the events to his friend in the next cabin.

“Philomena employs only cockpit crew and engineers. The other ‘employees’ are those who sneak in without paying their fares.”

Edwin shuddered. “Where can I hide?”

Thank you, Rochelle, for hosting Friday Fictioneers and thanks to Jan Wayne Fields for the lovely photo.